New York Mets defeat Florida Marlins, 7-1

Pre-opening day ceremonies offered a bitter reminder of last year's injury-smashed season as the Mets' trainers and physical conditioning staff got booed during pre-game introductions.

By the end of the day, though, only the most cynical Met fan could've been unhappy.

David Wright, mostly punchless last season, homered in his first at-bat of 2010 and Johan Santana threw six strong innings in his first major-league start since elbow surgery last September. The Mets clobb...

The first at-bat of spring training was more nerve-wracking for Jason Bay than his Mets debut Monday. He spent camp getting acclimated to his new team, he says, and by the time Opening Day arrived, he felt like he's "been here a long time," he said.

Bay certainly looked relaxed - and speedy - in his first real game with the team that signed him to a four-year, $66million deal over the winter. He got a warm hand from those of the crowd of 41,245 who got to Citi Field ear...